Apparatus for handling cases being loaded



June 6, 1967 c. s. JOHNSON, JR.. ETAL 3,323,283

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CASES BEING LOADED Filed Jne 15, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet l l NVE N TORS CURTlSS S- JOHNSON', JR. EDWARD A C OUTANT@5g/WM] BY ATT-ORN EY s` June 6, 1967 C. S. JOHNSON, JR., ETAL 3,323,283APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CASES BEING LOADED Filed June l5, 1964 June 6,1967 c. s. JOHNSON, JR. ETA'. 3,323,283

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CASES BEING LOADED Filed June 15, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 5 WiL-:4;

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June 6, 1967 c s. JOHNSON, JR.. ETA. 3,323,283

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CASES BEING LOADED Filed June l5, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 4 June 6, 1967 c. s. JOHNSON; JR., ETAL. 3,323,283

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CASES BEING LOADED Filed June l5, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent iiiice 3,323,283 Patented .lune 6,1967 3,323,283 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CASES BEING LOADED Curtiss S.Johnson, Jr., Middle Haddam, and Edward A.

Contant, Roclrfall, Conn., assignors to Emhart Corporation, acorporation of Connecticut Filed .lune 15, 1964, Ser. No. 375,013 8Claims. (Cl. 53-186) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for removing aflat case from a stack, erecting the case and closing its flaps at oneend while moving it into position in front of a horizontal loading casepacking machine with the case inclined toward the packer, for thenmoving the case into horizontal position to receive the load, and forthen pivoting the iilled case away from the packer into an erectposition on a horizontal take-away conveyor.

This invention relates to improvements in a case packing machine and,more particularly, to an improved apparatus tor handling cases beingloaded by a case Ipacking machine yof the type having a horizontallydisposed funnel through Which the case load is thrust into an open endof a case being loaded.

It is the general object ot the invention to provide an apparatuscapable of automatic operation to select a case from a stack of ilatopen end cases, to erect a case while it rests on its side while at thesame time closing the flaps on one end of the case, to then move theerected case onto the funnel to receive the load, and to then set thecase down in an erect position with its open end up in front of thetunnel where it can automatically be removed from the case handlingapparatus by a conveyor.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide case handlingapparatus of the atoredescribed type which will place the erected casein an inclined position in front of the funnel so that it can be pivotedupwardly onto the funnel to receive the load and then pivoted downwardlybeyond its original inclined position to an erect position on atake-away conveyor.

The drawings show preferred embodiments of the invention and suchembodiments will be described, but it will be understood that variouschanges may be made from the constructions disclosed, and that thedrawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limitingthe scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of thisspecification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the case handling apparatus of the presentinvention, but it is to be observed that this view is taken in a planeindicated by the line 1 -1 of FIG. 3 which is inclined toward ahorizontal plane;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the case handling apparatus but whichis inclined to the vertical as indicated by the line 2- 2 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the apparatus taken asindicated by the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are similar perspective views of an open end case beinghandled by the apparatus of this invention and illustratingschematically the manner in which the ilaps are closed at one end ofthesaid case;

FIG. 7 is a shortened elevational View of the pusher mechanism utilizedto move an erected case toward the loading station of the case handlingapparatus;

FIG. 8 is a shortened plan view of the pusher mechanism shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an elevational View of the case support mechanism utilized atthe loading station;

FIGS. 10, 11, l2. 13 and 14 are end elevational views of the articulatecase support means at the loading station and illustrate the manner inwhich a case to be loaded is moved from an inclined position upwardlyand rearwardly onto the case packer funnel in a horizontal position andthen moved downwardly and forwardly to stand erect on a conveyor whichremoves the loaded case from the case handling apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a wiring diagram illustrating automatic controls for the casehandling apparatus; and

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 14 showing an alternativeconstruction.

As will be described in more detail hereinafter, the case handlingapparatus of the present invention includes an elongated base which isdisposed in front of the packing machine funnel and extends transverselythereof. A magazine supports a stack of dat cases on this `base at oneside of the funnel, the stack being arranged so that the open end flapsof the flat cases face forwardly and rearwardly, respectively of thebase. The apparatus includes means for removing one ilat case from themagazine or stack and for shifting it into position where erectingmechanism works on the case to erect it while it still rests on its sideon the base. When the case is erected, the open ilaps at the front ofthe case are closed, and then the case is moved into position at theloading station in front ofthe packer funnel. A cradle is located at thesaid loading station to receive the case, to move it onto the funnel forloading and then move it forwardly and downwardly away from the funnelinto an erect position on a conveyor which removes the case from theapparatus of this invention and transports it onward to mechanism whichwill close the open top ilaps ofthe case.

It is a feature of the present invention that the base and the entirecase handling apparatus is inclined upwardly and rearwardly so that whenthe erected case is located at the loading station, its open end willface upwardlyand rearwardly toward the funnel. This arrangement of thecase handling apparatus has a distinct advantage in that elaborate andcomplex llap spreading mechanism is not needed in order to -pivot theopen end case upwardly and rearwardly onto the end of the horizontalfunnel of the packing machine. Thus, case handling apparatus provided inaccordance with the present invention is more economical than mostautomatic case handling equipment used with a packer having a horizontalfunnel, and it is also reliable and foolproof in operation.

Except for the inclined angle at which the case handling apparatus isbuilt, there is no invention per se in the construction of the flap casemagazine or in the means utilized to make up a case or to erect a casetaken from the magazine. Accordingly, FIGS. 1-3 illustrating thisportion of the case handling apparatus are only schematic and some ofthe structure has not `been shown in the interest of illustrating thegeneral arrangement of the apparatus.

In FIGS. 1-3, the aforementioned inclined base is indicated generally bythe reference numeral 10, and it supports a plurality of frame elementsF, F which include a pair of longitudinally extending rails 12 and 14.It will be observed that the base 10 is inclined upwardly and rearwardlyto the horizontal at an acute angle which preferably is in the range offrom approximately 15 to approximately 20.

At the left-hand end of the rails 12 and 14 as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2,a stack of tlat cases C, C is supported on two longitudinal series ofrollers 16, I6. Preferably, frame elements (not shown) are arranged toprovide a magazine for holding the stack of cases so that only thelowermost case C can be removed from the magazine and advanced over therails 12 and 14 from left to right.

extending chains Ztl, 2). Each of the chains 20, 2@ is.

endless and is entrained Vover suitable sprockets including a sprocketkeyed to a drive shaft l22. The shaft 22 is driven ott a chain 24 bymeans (not shown) which will reverse its direction of drive so as toreciprocate the chains 2t), 2) and thereby to reciprocate the casefeeding dogs 18, 18 between the full line and broken line positionsshown in FIG. 2. In the full line position of the dogs 18, 13 theyengage the lowermost fiat case Ain the stack to move it away from thestack to the broken line position of the dogs wherein the fiat case isengaged by carton erecting or expanding mechanism to make it up forreceiving a load.

When moved to the broken line position of FIG. 2, the ap oase C stillrests on its side on the rails 12 and 14 so that the uppermost sidepanel of the case can be engaged by a pair of vacuum cups 26, 26supported from a vacuum head 28 while the lowermost side panel isengaged by vacuum cups 27, 27. rI`he case erecting or expandingmechanism including the vacuum head 28 is conventional. That is, thismechanism includes a pipe 30 connected to and supporting the head 28',the said pipe being carried on pivoted linkage means 32 and beingconnected as by a hose 34 with means for establishing a vacuum. The pipe311 and vacuum head 28 are pivoted by the linkage means 32 so that thevacuum cups can engage the top side panel of a flat case in the brokenline position of FIG. 2 and erect it to the full line posip tion asshown while the lowermost side panel is retained yby the vacuum cups 27,27.

When the case has been expanded or erected while still resting on itsside on the rails 12 and 14, its front end fiaps are closed byconventional flap closing mechanism which has been illustrated onlyschematically. That is, when the case has been erected as shown in FIGS.l and 2, the top and bottom fiap-s 36 and 38 (FIGS. 4-6) are spreadapart by fingers 40 and 42 to permit closing the side aps 44 and 46 bytucker arms 48 and 50 respectively. Then, the top and bottom flaps 36and 33 are closed over now closed side aps 44 and 46 by means of tuckerarms 52 and 54, the spreading yfingers 40 and 42 having been removedfrom engagement with the said top and bottom flaps. After the front orbottom end of the case C has been closed as described, it is immediatelymoved along the rails 12 and 14 to engage adjustable plows 56 and 58which respectively engage the closed bottom flaps and the top side panelof the erected case. Also, a finger 60 is operated to engage and spreaddownwardly the open bottom flap 62 at the upper end of the case. As thecase is moved along from left to right (in FIGS. 1 and 2) from theposition wherein it was expanded and had its bottom closed, the bottomap 62 at the open end of the case is held down by a longitudinallyextending guide or plow 64 (FIG. 1).

The means for moving the expanded or erected case while still on itsside into loading position at a loading station is shown in FIGS. 7 and8. This means includes pusher element d6 which is pivotally connectedwith and reciprocates with an endiess chain S (FIGS. 1 and 2). The chainis entrained over suitable sprockets, one of which is on the previouslymentioned drive shaft 22 so that the said chain is reciprocated back andforth from left to right as viewed in FIG. 1. The pusher 66 is pivotallyconnected to the end of a rod 70 which is connected to links of thechain 68 so that in the reciprocating movement of the said chain thepusher will move between the full line position and broken line positionof FIGS. 1 and 2. In the broken line position of these figures, thepusher is disposed so as to engage an erected case C and to move it fromthe location wherein it was expanded or erected into position at theloading station, this position being indicated by the full line positionof the pusher. When the pusher is retracted from the full line positionto the broken line position, it will engage the corner of a fiat case ora case being erected and it will pivot downwardly to pass beneath thatcase to a position wherein it can spring upwardly. A torsion spring 72(FIG. 8) serves to erect the pusher after it has cleared a case beingexpanded, and an adjustable stop 73 is provided on the pusher to locateit correctly relative to a case as it swings upwardly.

In keeping with the present invention, a novel articulate support meansindicated generally by the reference numeral 74 is provided for the caseC at the loading station. This support means is provided to receive thecase in its inclined position of movement along the rails 12 and 14 andto pivot the case upwardly and rearwardly so that its open end will bethrust over a funnel 76 (FIGS. 10-14) forming a part of the case packingmachine. It will be observed that the funnel 76 is disposed horizontallyand after the case has been pivoted by the support means 74 from itsinclined position to a horizontal position on the funnel for loading, itis then tilted or pivoted forwardly and downwardly to stand erect.

vMore specifically, and as best shown at FIGS. 9-14, the support for thecase at the loading station includes an inclined base 78 which may be anextension of the previously mentioned base It). A first arm Sti which isgenerally U-shaped in cross section is pivotally connected at its lowerend to the base 7S as by a bracket 82, and the said arm extends upwardlytherefrom. A second arm 84 is pivotally connected to the upper end ofthe first arm Si) as by a bracket 86. This second arm is formed as apart of or rigidly supports a cradle indicated generally by thereference numeral $8 which is generally C-shaped when viewed `from theend as in FIGS. lil-14. The C-shaped cradle comprises two adjustablyconnected main members 9i) and 92 which can be adjusted rel-ative toeach other to accommodate cases of different size. Cross bars 94 and a6on the cradle element 90 and a cross piece 98 on the cradle element 92extend transversely of the funnel 76 to help support a case C in frontof and on the said funnel. The case is initially thrust into the openingprovided by the cradle in its inclined position by the pusher member d,this position of the case being shown in FIG. 10. When the case isthrust into the cradle, its lower fiap 62 at the open end moves into apivoted channel member 100 so that it will be held down in a positionwherein it will clear the funnel 76 when the case is pivoted upwardlyand rearwardly to `be thrust over the end of the said funnel. Thechannel member 100 is biased in a counterclockwise direction as viewedin FIGS. 10-11 by means of torsion springs 102, 102 (FIG. 9) the limitof counterclockwise movement of the said member being fixed by anadjustable stop 104 so that the said channel member is properlypositioned to receive the edge of the bottom flap 62 at the open end ofthe case. A roller 1% is mounted on the pivoted channel member Ifiii toengage the bottom of the funnel 'i6 when the case is thrust ofi thefunnel to move the said channel member 191i farther downwardly and thusto permit the bottom flap 6-2 to escape as shown in FIG. 12.

The case C is received in the cradle 88 in its inclined position ofadvance as illustrated in FIG. l0 when the first arm Sil of thearticulate support is in a first pivoted position shown in FIGS. 10, 13and 14 and when the second arm 84 is in a first pivoted positionrelative to the said first arm as shown in FIGS. 10, l1 and 14. With thesecond arm 84 remaining in its first position relative to the first armS0, t-he said first arm can ibe moved to a second position shown in FIG.11. As shown, this moves the cradle SS so that the open end case C isthrust over the end of the horizontal funnel 7d and it too is positionedsubstantially horizontally to receive a load thrust through the funnelinto the case by the packer. The second arm 84 assegna also has a secondposition relative to the first arrn 80, this position being shown inFIG. 13. As shown in FIG. 13, when the first arm 80 is in its firstposition and the second arm 84 is in its second position, the case Cwill have pivoted downwardly and forwardly by movement of the cradle 88to a position wherein it stands substantially erect with its open endup.

The said first and second arms are pivoted between their aforesaidpositions by rst and second motor means, respectively comprising a fluidmotor 108 which engages the rst arm S0 and the bracket 82 to move thesaid first arm between its first and second positions and a second fluidmotor 110 which is connected between the first and second arms to movethe second arm 84 between its first and second positions relative tosaid rst arm. Thus, in the two position movement of each of the firstand second arms of the articulate support for the case at the loadingstation, the cradle 88 is moved between three positions. That is, afirst position for the cradle is illustrated at FIG. wherein a case C issupported in an inclined position in which it is received from thepreviously described portion of the case handling apparatus. In itssecond position, the cradle is disposed as shown in FIG. l1 to supportthe case horizontally and thrust over the end of the funnel 76. In itsthird position, the cradle 88 is supported as shown in FIG. 13, whereinthe case is disposed substantially erect with its open end up.

In further keeping with the present invention, conveyor means comprisinga series of driven rolls 112 is constructed and arranged to cooperatewith the articulate support and cradle to remove a loaded case from thecradle. That is, the driven rolls 112 are arranged in a spaced apartseries extending horizontally and transversely in front of the funnel76. When the cradle 88 is lowered to the position shown in FIG. 13, thestanding case C therein will be engaged by the conveyor rolls 112 andmoved out of the cradle in a left to right direction as viewed in FIGS.1 and 2.

It will be readily understood that a loaded case C is rotated or pivotedthrough 90 `from the horizontal position of FIG. l1 to the verticalposition of FIG. 12. In order to avoid the possibility of load contentsspilling from the case during this pivotal movement, the radius of suchmovement is reduced to a minimum. This is accomplished by operating thefirst and second fluid motor means 108 and 110 nearly simultaneously soas to move the first arm from its second position to its first positionwhile also moving the second arm 84 from its first position to itssecond position. While the motors are operated nearly simultaneously,the motor 110 is started slightly in advance of the motor ldd so thatthe second arm S4 will start pivoting counterclockwise rst. This thruststhe roller 106 into engagement with the funnel 76 to pivot the channelmember 100 clockwise and permit the case flap 62 to escape from it asshown in FIG. 12.

The aforedescribed case handling apparatus can be operated automaticallyin cooperation with the packer by a variety of different contr-olcircuits and devices. An example of one such circuit is shown in FIG.15, and it utilizes conventional control devices as will be understoodfrom the following description of a cycle of operation.

Assuming that in starting operation a case C has been placed in thecradle 88 in the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and l0, that a flat caseis positioned as shown in FIG. 2 for expansion and that the feed dogs18, 1S and the pusher element 66 are in their righthand positions, thestart switch 120 can be closed to start a cycle of automatic operation.Upon closing of switch 120, the relay CR-l will be energized in acircuit between the power lines L1 and L2 because this relay circuitincludes a normally open limit switch LS-l which has been closed byplacing a case C in the cradle S8.

When energized, control relay CR-l closes its normally open contacts 122to complete a circuit including normally `closed contacts 124 andenergizes a solenoid 126 which operates a control valve (not shown) forthe first reversible fiuid motor 108 to cause that motor to move thefirst arm to its second position and thus to place the case C over theend of the funnel 76 as shown in FIG. 11. (Whenever the solenoid 126 isde-energized, its associated control valve is spring returned to anormal position to reverse the motor 103 and return the first arm to itsfirst or normal position). Also, the energized relay CR-l closes itscontacts 12,8 in a power circuit with normally open contacts 130 to asolenoid 132 to condition that solenoid to -be energized later, and itcloses its contacts 134 in a power circuit with normally closed contacts136 for a relay CR-4. It also opens its normally closed contacts 138 ina power circuit with normally open limit switch LS4 for relay CR-S.

The thus energized relay CR-4 controls the motor yoperating the drivechain 24 to rotate the drive shaft 22 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG.2 to return the chains 20 and 68 and their associated dogs 18, 18 andpusher 66 to the left to position them for engagement with the bottomcase in the stack and a case being expanded. At the same time, the relayCR-1 closes its normally open contacts 140 in circuit with relay CR-6which is thereby energized and operates to effect operation of theconventional case expanding and fiap closing mechanisms previouslydescribed. Thus, as the `feed dogs 18, 18 and the pusher 66 areretracted, a case is erected or expanded and its flaps are closed so asto be ready to be moved into the cradle.

In the meantime, the case already in the cradle has been moved onto thefunnel 76 as shown in FIG. 11 and as has been mentioned. When the case Creaches the funnel, the cradle SS then closes normally openk limitswitch LS-2 in circuit with normally closed contacts 142 to energizerelay CR-Z. Relay (IR-2 controls operation of the packer to cause it tothrust a load through the funnel 76 and into the open case and return,and it also closes its contacts 144 in circuit with normally open limitswitch LS-3 and with relay CR-3. v

When the load has been thrust into the case, the packer closes limitswitch LS-S to energize relay CR-3 which is a time delay relay. Thisrelay immediately opens its contacts 142 in circuit with packer relayCR2 to prevent the packer from thrusting a new load until a subsequentcycle of the apparatus and it simultaneously closes its contacts 130 toenergize solenoid 132. Solenoid 132 when energized operates a valve (notshown) for the second reversible fluid motor 110 to cause that motor tostart to move the second arm 84 from its first or normal positionrelative to the rst arm Si) (FIGS. l0, 11 and 14) toward its secondposition relative thereto (Fig. 13). (Whenever the solenoid 132 isde-energized, its associated control valve is spring returned to anormal position to reverse the motor 110 and return the second arm toits first or normal position.) This initial movement of the arm 84engages the roller 106 with the funnel 76 to release the flap 62 fromthe channel member 100 as has been mentioned vand as is shown in FIG.12. After the second arm 84 has started to move, the relay CR-S opensits contacts 124 to de-energize solenoid 126 so that the first arm 80will start to return to its normal position.

Thus, the articulate case support and case C are moved from the positionof FIG. 11 to the position of FIG. 13. In such position, the case isengaged by the driven conveyor means 112 and removed, as it standserect, from the cradle 88. Immediately that the loaded case is removedfrom the cradle, the limit switch LS-l opens to de-energize relay CR-1.

When relay CR-l is de-energized, its contacts 128 open to de-energizesolenoid 132 to cause the second arm to return to its normal position tothus position the articulate support means 74 as shown in FIG. 14. Alsothe relay CR-l, being de-energized, closes its contacts 138 whileopening its contacts 134 to cause feeding of a new fiat case forexpansion and a new expanded case for loading. This feeding iscontrolled by relay (2R-5 which will automatically be energized becauselimit switch LS-4 was previously closed by the dogs i8, i8 and pusher 66being in proper position for a feeding cycle. This feeding cycleinitiates a whole new cycle of operation by thrusting a new carton intothe cradle.

The modification of the aforedescribed apparatus shown in FIG. 16 isparticularly adapted for loading cases under conditions where the fiap62 must be released immediately the case reaches the funnel. This may benecessary for loading cases with small cans or other containers. In thisembodiment a cam 154i is mounted (preferably on the funnel 76) to engagethe roller 1136 immediately upon entry of the funnel in the open end ofthe case. As will be seen from the shape of the cam 1511), it will pivotthe channel member Miti clockwise to release the flap 62 before the loadis thrust fully into the case.

We claim:

1. In apparatus for handling cases being loaded by a packer whichthrusts a load substantially horizontally into an open end of a case ata loading station, the combination comprising an articulate support forthe case at the loading station including a first arm which is pivotallysupported at its bottom and extends upwardly,'a second arm pivotallymounted on the upper end of the first arm and having a cradle which in anormal first position of said first and second arms is positioned toreceive a case in an inclined position with an open end up and a closedend down, said first arm being movable between its first position and asecond position wherein the case is disposed horizontally to receive aload through its open end, said second arm being movable between itsfirst position relative to the first arm and a second position whereinthe case stands erect with its open end up, and said first and secondarms being movable substantially simultaneously toward their respectivefirst and second positions.

2. Case handling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and including firstand second reciprocable motor means for respectively pivoting said firstand second arms, said first and second motor means being operable nearlysimultaneously to move said first and second arms to their respectivefirst and second positions to reduce the radius of pivotal movement of aloaded case from the horizontal position to the position wherein itstands erect.

3. In apparatus for handling cases being loaded by a packer whichthrusts an assembled pack of articles substantially horizontally into acase at a loading station, the combination comprising an articulatesupport for a case at the loading station including a base, a first armpivotally mounted on the base to extend upwardly, a second arm pivotallymounted on the upper end of the first arm and having a cradie adapted toreceive and support a case resting on its side with one end closed andits other end opened and facing toward the packer7 a first reciprocablemotor for pivoting said first arm between a first position wherein acase in the cradle is inclined with its open end uppermost and a secondposition wherein the case issubstantially horizontal for loading, asecond reciprocable motor for pivoting the second arm between a firstposition corresponding to the inclined position of ythe case and asecond position wherein the case stands erect with its open end up, saidfirst and second motors being operable nearly simultaneously to movesaid first and second arms toward their respective first and secondpositions whereby to reduce the radius of pivotal movement in moving aloading case from the horizontal position in which it was loaded to anerect position, and conveyor means cooperating with said articulatesupport to engage and remove a case therefrom when said first arm is inits first position and said second arm is in its second position.

4. Apparatus for handling cases to be loaded by a packer having ahorizontal funnel through which a load is thrust into the open end of acase, said apparatus comprising a base extending transversely in frontof the funnel and which is inclined upwardly and rearwardly toward thefunnel, a magazine on the base at one side of the funnel for supportinga stack of flat open end cases having flaps at their ends facingforwardly and rearwardly of the base, means for feeding one case at atime from the magazine to a case erecting station on the base, means forerecting said case while resting on its side on the base and for closingthe front end flaps thereof at said station, means for moving the thuserected case to a loading station adjacent the funnel, an articulatesupport for the case at the loading station including a first arm whichis pivotally supported at its bottom end and eX- tends upwardly, asecond arm pivotally mounted on the upper end of the first arm andhaving a cradle lwhich in a first position of said first and second armsis positioned to receive the case in the inclined position of the base,said first arm being movable betwen its first position and a secondposition wherein the open fiap end of the case is thrust over thefunnel, said se-cond arm being movable between its first positionrelative to the first arm and a second position wherein the case standserect in front of the funnel with its open end up, said first and secondarms being movable substantially simultaneously toward their respectivefirst and second positions.

5. Case handling apparatus as set forth in claim 4, including first andsecond reciprocable motor means for respectively pivoting said first andsecond arms between their said positions, and wherein said first andsecond reciprocable motor means are operable nearly simultaneously tomove said rst and second arms to their respective first and secondpositions to reduce the radius of pivotal movement of a loaded case fromthe funnel to its standing position.

6. Apparatus for handling cases to be loaded by a packer having ahorizontal funnel through which a load is thrust into the open end of acase, said apparatus com prising a base extending transversely in frontof the funnel and which is inclined upwardly and rearwardly toward thefunnel, a magazine on the base at one side of the funnel for supportinga stack of fiat open end cases having flaps at their ends facingforwardly and rearwardly of the base, means for feeding one case at atime from the magazine toward the funnel, means for erecting each suchcase while on its side on the base and for closing its front end fiaps,means for moving the thus erected case in front of the funnel on thebase in an inclined position with its open fiap end facing upwardly andrearwardly toward the funnel, an articulate support for the case at theloading station including a first arm which is pivotally supported atits bottom end and extends upwardly, a second arm pivotally mounted onthe upper end of the first arm and having a cradle which in a firstposition of said first and second arms is positioned to receive the casein the said inclined position, said first arm being movable between itsfirst position and a second position wherein the open fiap end of thecase is thrust over the funnel, said second arm being movable betweenits first position relative to the first arm and a second positionwherein the case stands erect' in front of the funnel with its open endup, said first and second arms being movable substantiallysimultaneously toward their respective first and second positions, andconveyor means cooperating with said articulate support to engage andremove a case standing erect in front of the funnel.

7. Case handling apparatus as set forth in claim 6, including first andsecond reciprocable moto-r means for respectively pivoting said firstand second arms between their said positions, and wherein said first andsecond motor means are operable nearly simultaneously to move said firstand second arms to their respective first and second positions to reducethe radius of pivotal movement of a loaded case from the funnel to itsstanding position. Y

8. In apparatus for handiing cases having end closure fiaps and beingloaded by a packer having a horizontal funnel for entry into an open endof a case to permit thrusting a load into the case at a loading station,the combination comprising an articulate support for the case at theloading station including -a base, a first arm pivotally mounted on thebase to extend upwardly, a second arm pivotally mounted on the first armand having a cradle adapted to support a case resting on its side withone end closed and the other end open and facing toward the packerfunnel and also having means for holding a lower flap at the open end ofthe case down to facilitate movement of the open end over the funnel, afirst reciprocable motor for pivoting said iirst arm between a firstposition wherein a case in the cradle is inclined with its open enduppermost and a second position wherein the case is horizontal `with thefunnel projecting into its open end for case loading, a secondreciprocable motor for pivoting the second arm between a lirst positioncorresponding to the inclined position of the case and a second positionwherein the case stands erect with its open end up, said iirst andsecond motors being operable nearly simultaneously to move said iirstand second arms toward their respective first and second positionswhereby to reduce the radius of pivotal movement of a loaded case fromits horizontal to its erect position, and conveyor means cooperatingwith said `articulate support to engage and remove a case therefrom whensaid lirst arm is in its lirst position and said second arm is in itssecond position.

Reerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, PrimaryExmniner. N. ABRAMS, Assistant Examiner.

4. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CASES TO BE LOADED BY A PACKER HAVING AHORIZONTAL FUNNEL THROUGH WHICH A LOAD IS THRUST INTO THE OPEN END OF ACASE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING A BASE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY IN FRONTOF THE FUNNEL AND WHICH IS INCLINED UPWARDLY AND REARWARDLY TOWARD THEFUNNEL, A MAGAZINE ON THE BASE AT ONE SIDE OF THE FUNNEL FOR SUPPORTINGA STACK OF FLAT OPEN END CASES HAVING FLAPS AT THEIR ENDS FACINGFORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY OF THE BASE, MEANS FOR FEEDING ONE CASE AT ATIME FROM THE MAGAZING TO A CASE ERECTING STATION ON THE BASE, MEANS FORERECTING SAID CASE WHILE RESTING ON ITS SIDE ON THE BASE AND FOR CLOSINGTHE FRONT END FLAPS THEREOF AT SAID STATION, MEANS FOR MOVING THE THUSERECTED CASE TO A LOADING STATION ADJACENT THE FUNNEL, AN ARTICULATESUPPORT FOR THE CASE AT THE LOADING STATION INCLUDING A FIRST ARM WHICHIS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED AT ITS BOTTOM END AND EXTENDS UPWARDLY, A SECONDARM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE UPPER END OF THE FIRST ARM AND HAVING ACRADLE WHICH IN A FIRST POSITION OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND ARMS ISPOSITIONED TO RECEIVE THE CASE IN THE INCLINED POSITION OF THE BASE,SAID FIRST ARM BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN ITS FIRST POSITION AND A SECONDPOSITION WHEREIN THE OPEN FLAP END OF THE CASE IS THRUST OVER THEFUNNEL, SAID SECOND ARM BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN ITS FIRST POSITIONRELATIVE TO THE FIRST ARM AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN THE CASE STANDSERECT IN FRONT OF THE FUNNEL WITH ITS OPEN END UP, SAID FIRST AND SECONDARMS BEING MOVABLE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMULTANEOUSLY TOWARD THEIR RESPECTIVEFIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS.